NDSU Phi Kappa Phi Chapter Holds Initiation, Receives Recognition

The NDSU chapter of the Phi Kappa Phi honor society, which recently received the organization’s Chapter of Merit status, held its annual fall initiation and celebration of academic ex­cellence Nov. 14.

A total of 67 students and Tri-College Provost Tim Flakoll were inducted into the chapter. Taylor Cymbaluk, a senior majoring in animal science, was the guest speaker.

“It’s a special recognition for our students to honor their academic achievements,” said Anita Welch, president of the NDSU chapter and Phi Kappa Phi’s North Central Region vice president. “This membership stays with them throughout their professional careers.”

Flakoll said, “I was deeply honored to be included in the 100th class of Phi Kappa Phi at NDSU. I have long held a high admiration for the organization and the individuals who have been selected for this honor. With the honor comes an obligation to utilize the collective talents of the 2012 class to enhance education and use our talents so that we can improve our world.”

NDSU is the 10th-oldest chapter in the organization and begins to celebrate its 100th year on campus. Welch said approximately 350 Phi Kappa Phi members live in the Fargo-Moorhead area. Claudette Peterson, assistant professor in the School of Education, has been named the chapter’s community and alumni liaison to reach out to area non-campus members. “Members in the com­munity, our alumni, can be active with our chapter and hopefully serve as mentors to our students,” Welch said.

Phi Kappa Phi is the largest academic honor society that recogniz­es and promotes academic excellence in all fields of higher educa­tion. A total of 73 out of 318 chapters received recognition status in the past year. “Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society,” said Provost Bruce Rafert. “The recognition NDSU has received as a Chapter of Merit is indicative of the exceptional accomplishments of our chapter.”

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North Dakota State University is a student-focused, land-grant, research university listed at 84 among 402 public universities based on NDSU's research expenditures reported to the National Science Foundation. In addition, NDSU is listed in the National Science Foundation top 100 in several areas, including: agricultural sciences, social sciences, physical sciences, chemistry, psychology and computer science. NDSU is fully accredited as an institution by the Higher Learning Commission.